254 



S£CT. 5. 



Of the Silk Mamifadure. 



The iilk manufafture was formerly of much greater extent and dig- 

 nity, than it is at prefent ; yet, (till it is refpeftable, even in decay. 

 Many of its produftions are ftill in conllant ufe, and though the con- 

 lumption of fJken fabrics is wonderfully diminiflied, it affords employ- 

 ment to a large number of perfons. Of thofe perfons many are women 

 and children, a circumftance which mufl always entitle a manufafture 

 to the confideration and fupport of an enlightened legiflature. 



Hofe of filk, ribbands, laces, edgings, and fringes, fattins and velvets 

 are ftill in general ufe; but the confumption of filk and velvet, for 

 the garments of men and women, is not a thoufandth part, of what 

 it was, in former times. Even, in the capital of this ifland, the filk 

 manufafture was formerly a confiderable objeft, and vad numbers of 

 looms were conftantly at work, in the fabrication of velvets, fattins, 

 filk handkerchiefs; not to mention luftrings, perfians, modes, dama/ks 

 for garments, and furniture of rooms ; fancy filks, of various colours, 

 and patterns, for garments. At that time, velvet was univerfally worn, 

 in drefs fuits, by perfons of fafliion, of both fcxes. It was ufed by 

 women of inferior condition, in cloaks, hoods, and maiks ; and caps of 

 velvet were then fafliionable, not only among boys but grown men ; 

 (our round hats have long fmce fuperfeded the general ufe of caps.) 

 The very manufafture of filk handkerchiefs was then a very confide- 

 rable article, as the ufe of them in the pocket was general. Of late 

 years, handkerchiefs of lawn or muflin have ufurped their place ; and 

 this branch of the manufafture has fallen into decay ;* on the other 

 hand, the demand for filk {lockings has encreafed ; the cafe is the 

 fame with refpeft to ribbands ; and there is a confiderable demand for 



farcenets, peelings, and the fpccics of filk called mode. 



The 



* Very lately fome attempts have been made to revive the ufe of minor branches of the 

 iilk manufafture, in the drefs of men and women. 



